"Employers who provide access to holistic wellbeing services as part of their employee benefits can actively contribute to the building of healthier, more resilient workforces."
- Chris Morgan - Canada Life
New research from Canada Life has found that almost half of employees were able to reduce time off work when employers provided access to virtual wellbeing services and group protection insurance.
The sample surveyed 2,480 employees who had a GP appointment via Canada Life’s WeCare virtual service last year and found that 48% avoided absences as a result, while 46% returned to work more quickly following their consultation.
Half of the people seeking GP appointments also received a specialist medical referral, private prescription or fit note from their consultation, while more than 6,800 mental health therapy sessions were delivered.
82% of service users reported an improvement in overall mental health following their support sessions, 64% said the support had improved their ability to cope, 66% said they had reduced anxiety, and 76% said they felt increased happiness.
The research also found that 82% of people who used WeCare’s second medical opinion (SMO) service to review the diagnosis of an existing medical condition or check their treatment path were recommended to change their treatment, and 28% received a change of diagnosis.
One in six (16%) SMO service users were recommended a major change in treatment across a range of specialities, from obstetrics and gynaecology and dermatology to cardiology and oncology.
A second medical opinion was requested for obstetrics and gynaecological conditions in 19% of cases, and 80% of patients saw a change in treatment, while 3% of patients requested a second opinion about their cancer treatment, and 62% of these were recommended a change in their treatment.
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"WeCare usage in 2025 is evidence that employers who provide access to holistic wellbeing services as part of their employee benefits can actively contribute to the building of healthier, more resilient workforces, and boost workplace productivity by lowering health-related absence," Chris Morgan, head of protection product & propositions at Canada Life, said.
Chris continued: "Whether employees are living with a skin condition or seeking help with their mental health, providing access to services that deliver fast, appropriate and tailored care helps workers stay in or return to work more quickly, while also feeling better informed and more in control of health management."
